Monthly Archives: April 2013

The popular saying “health is wealth” gives a large meaning to our life as health is considered the most valuable and precious for every individual. Good health means not only a state of absence of disease in the body but a complete physical, mental, social as well as spiritual well being of an individual.

Today competition in each field is so intense that nobody can escape from the hectic schedule of life. Earlier, a few decades ago, people used to work differently, enjoying the different color of life. But it is noticed now that people are working under stressful condition and without satisfaction, which is detrimental to their physical fitness. As a result they are suffering from many diseases.

Physical fitness is very necessary for a healthy and tension free life. Physical fitness includes diet, exercise and sleep. These three basic things have their own importance in each individual’s life and everyone should be sensible with regard to these for a healthy life.

Diet is the kind of food that we take. As our life depends upon it we must know, how much to eat and when to eat. Therefore, one should “eat to live and not live to eat”. Whatever is pleasing to your eyes, whatever is pleasing to your tongue and whatever you feel pleased after eating may be taken as long as your digestion, body weight, strength and activities are normal. Diet should be simple and light rather than heavy, but it should be always rich and pretentious. Fruit must be supplemented with the meals

Those who take fruit and fresh vegetables in diet enjoy the longevity of life, good health, agility in activity, spirituality of mind and humanity of outlook. a diet rich in fruits and fresh vegetables lowers the incidence of disease such as cancer, diabetes, cataract, heart attack etc. Fast food and soft drinks should be strictly avoided although every individual has his own requirements.

Some important tips of good Eating habits are ;

(1) Make breakfast the largest and dinner the lightest meal of the day,

(2) Be a nibbler not a gourmet,

(3) Eat your salad before your eat the meal,

(4) Don’t starve yourself and overeat subsequently,

(5) Fast food and canned food are costly both for your pocket and your heart,

(6) Yellow orange and green vegetables and fruits add life to your heart and

(7) As age advances eat less and exercise more.

Activities requiring physical effort is called Exercise. Exercise is generally of two types, light and heavy. Exercises are done by turning, bending and stretching the body keeping in mind the structure of the body. An ideal exercise is the one which facilitates the movement of each and every part of the body. Walking, running, cycling, playing, swimming, gardening, skipping, weight-lifting and yoga are some common forms of exercise which keep someone fit. But going to gym for exercise is a fashion now.

Basic Metabolic Rate increases if a person exercises. As a result the absorption of digested food increases. Exercising also burns the excess fat in the body and improves the functioning of vital organs. Regular exercise reduces the excessive body weight as well as the danger of high blood pressure due to obesity. Deposition of syrup lipids in blood because of extra fat can also be reduced by doing regular exercise. It makes the heart more active and reduces the incidence of coronary heart disease. Regular exercise also tones the muscles and removes the wrinkles on a person’s face. Exercise is essential for both obese as well as weak people because it results in the loss of calories ultimately reducing the weight in case of obese and results in the weight gain in case of weak by increasing the appetite by stimulating the digestive system.

Yoga and meditation increase energy, give freshness and infuse new confidence in a person.

Sleep is the physical and mental state during which nervous system undergoes an active reorganization rather than real inhibition. The requirement of sleep varies from one age group to another. Every part of the body relaxes during sleep but organs like heart, kidney, lungs and the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) remain active. In children the requirement of sleep is high, around 12-14 hours and the normal adult requires 7-8 hours of sound sleep daily. However adults nowadays are sleeping less because of busy schedules, night shifts and late night parties.

Physical well-being wholly depends upon a sound brain as all activities of our body are controlled by the mind. Any disturbance in the mind will disturb the body giving rise to various abnormalities. So a sound sleep is must for a healthy person.

Some useful tips for it are –

(1) Before going to bed get rid of your stress by meditation,

2) Don’t’ sleep during the day,

(3) Perform physical and mental work to get some sleep,

(4) Do your exercise regularly,

(5) Drink warm milk and avoid spice food before going to bed.

The quality and not the quantity of sleep is important, although 8 hours sleep is necessity for sound health.

Thus, balanced diet, regular exercise and sound sleep are the prerequisites for sound physical fitness and physical fitness is the key to a productive and successful life.

A fitness Centre is a place where people come to work out. It provides several types of exercise equipment for the purpose of physical exercise. Fitness centers are usually patronized by both sexes.

But there are also exclusive centers for either sex. Many fitness centers choose to have a gents-only workout area. Fitness centers offer a collective and often entertaining and informal form of working out as opposed to a typical gym. For instance they may offer classes in Yoga, Pilates, Tai chi, Dance exercises, etc.

Fitness centers usually have a main workout area, which houses equipment like free weights like dumbbells and barbells and exercise machines. This area may have mirrors so that patrons can check and maintain correct posture during their workout.

For cardiovascular exercises, there will be a Cardio area. This will have many types of cardiovascular training-related equipment like rowing machines, stationary exercise bikes, elliptical trainers and treadmills. These areas may also include a number of audio- visual displays (either integrated into the equipment, or placed on walls around the area itself) in order to keep exercisers entertained.

Newer fitness centers often offer group exercise classes. These are run throughout the week by qualified fitness instructors. There may be classes based on aerobics, cycling (spin cycle), boxing, high intensity, yoga, Pilates and muscle training. Those with swimming pools often offer aqua aerobics classes. Many fitness centers offer the services of personal trainers. Members can avail their services for a fee.

Personal Trainers provide a customized fitness routine, which may include a nutrition plan, to help members achieve their goals. They can also monitor and train with members. Facilities like sauna, steam shower, or wellness areas could be available as well. Fitness centers generally charge a fee to allow visitors to use the equipment, courses, and other provided services.

Fitness centers have become indispensable for the new age man or woman who is very conscious about health and the need for staying fit.

As one has to shell out a hefty fee and spare time from our busy schedule to enroll in these centers,